Rotary fan



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(um flaw Em Pal Mucci Fly 4 P. MUCCI ROTARY FAN Nov. 29, 1955 Filed Dec. 11, 1952 Nov. 29, 1955 Filed Dec. 11, 1952 P. Mucc| 2,725,184

ROTARY FAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 /0 O F 1' g. 2 g 1 :64::::

Par Mucci INVENTOR.

BY WWW M4,

United States Patent ROTARY FAN Pat Mucci, St. Louis, Mo. Application December 11, 1 952, SerialNm 325,399

Claims. (Cl. 238-254) This invention relates to the class of fans and more particularly to a fan adapted to circulate air throughout a 360degree arc.

The'primary object of this-invention resides in the provision of a. stand adapted to convert a conventional oscillating, fan into a rotary fan capable of turning throughout an entire circle.

A further object of this invention resides in the means used for the distribution of the current as obtained from thepower source through n'ovel elements forming a part ofthe stand.

The construction of this invention features a stand adapted to be assoicated with a conventional fan having a mounting. stud and an oscillating: shaft. The stand includes a member whichicarries brushes for connecting the motor of the-fan to conductor rings carried by a tubular member supported by a base, which conductor rings are operatively electrically connected to a source of power.

Another feature of thisinvention resides in the means used for providing the drive for rotating the fan.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the provision of a. stand attachment for a. fan to convert the fan into a rotary fan which is strong, durable, highly efficient in operation, simple in construction and manufacture, and capable of being relatively inexpensively produced.

These, together with thevanious ancillary objects of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this rotary fan, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure l is an exploded perspective view of the rotary fan showing the component parts of the invention in greatest detail;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the fan with the casing being shown in section to show other parts in detail;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the plane of line 44 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the locking ring and associated L-shaped member which carries the brushes comprising one of the important sub-assemblies of this invention; and,

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of the circuits used in this invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein ilke reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a fan which is driven by a conventional motor and which includes a fan blade 12, a downwardly extending stud 14, and a rotary drive shaft 16 adapted to be otherwise used for oscillating the fan. The fan 10 is rotatably supported by means of the stud 14 upon a suitable stand to be henceforth described.

The stand includes a base 20 having an upwardly projecting central portion 22 terminating in bifurcated por- 2. tions Hand 26. A stem. 28 of a tubularmember 30 is adapted tov be received between the bifurcated portions 24 and 26. and is adjustably secured by means of the bolt 32 and wing. nut 34. Mounted on the tubular member 30 is a. drum 36 constructed from Bakelite or other suitable insulative materials. Secured on the drum 36 are conducting bands or rings 38,40 and 42. A recessed screw 44 is used to secure the drum 36 to the tubular member 30.

The stud 14 is formed with a peripheral groove 46 in the. lowermost portions. The peripheral groove 46 is adapted to. be received within the central opening 48 in the tubular member 30. An annular slot 50 is formed in theztubular member as isa threaded aperture 52. A locking key 54 having bifurcated portions 56 and 58 and a downwardly extending arcuate portion 60 is secured by means of screw 62 to the tubular member 30. The bifurcated portions 56 and 58 are received within the slot 50 and within the. groove 46 and are adapted to key'the stud. 14 within. the tubular member 30 while permitting relative rotation.

Received on thethickened uppermost portion 64 of the stud 14 is a. locking ring 66 which by means of screw 68 is secured to the thickened portion 64. A substantially L.-shapedl member 70 is preferably integrally formed with the locking ring 66 and mounted in the L-shaped member 78. are suitablev springpressed brushes 72, 74 and 76 which are adapted to resiliently engage the conductor rings 38, 40 and 42 to complete an operatively electrical circle.

Lock-ingly secured to the upper portion of the tubular member 30; is a sprocket wheel 78. Another sprocket wheel 80 is adapted to be secured to the drive shaft 16. A chain 82. of the endless variety is secured about the sprocketwheels 78 and 80.

Mounted on. the L-shaped member 70 for pivotal movement relative thereto is an arm 84'having a roller in the shape of a spool as at 86 depending therefrom. A spring 88 is terminally attached. to the spool end of the arm 84 and" the L-shaped member 70 and constantly urges the spool 86'inwardly against the chain 82 in order to remove any slack that might develop in the chain. The spool 86 is rotatably mounted on the bolt 88 which depends from the arm 84-. A nut 90 is used to maintain the spool 86 on thebolt' 88. A pin 92 is usedv to pivotally mount the arm 84 on the L-shaped member 70.

Connected to the conductor rings 38, 40 and 42 are suitable electrical conduits as indicated at 94 for connecting the device with a source of power. The leads from the motor within the fan 10 are connected to the brushes 72, 74 and 76 by suitable conductors 96. With the oscillating shaft 16 rotating, the sprocket 80 will be rotated. Since the sprocket 78 is stationary relative to the tubular member 30 and drum 36, the chain 82 will by its move ment cause the assembly to be rotated about the stationary drum 36 and the sprocket 78 in a planetary movement. The continuity of the circuit is maintained by means of the brushes 72, 74 and 76 engaging the conductor rings 38, 40 and 42.

Any suitable casing for completely inclosing the operating elements of this invention from accidental engagement with clothing, or the bodies of persons, is provided and is generally indicated at 98.

Since from the foregoing, the construction and advantages of this rotary fan and stand therefor are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily oc our to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be readily resorted to that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An attachment including a stand for use in combination with a fan for enabling rotation of the fan throughout a 360 degree arc, said fan having a stud protruding downwardly and a rotary drive shaft, said stand comprising a locking ring secured to said stud, a substantially L-shaped member depending from said locking ring, a tubular member, a base, said tubular member being carried by said base, a plurality of conductor rings carried by said tubular member, and a plurality of brushes carried by said L-shaped member engageable with said conductor rings, a drive sprocket secured to said drive shaft, a stationary sprocket secured to said stud, and an endless chain about said drive sprocket and said stationary sprocket.

2. An attachment including a stand for use in combination with a fan for enabling rotation of the fan throughout a 360 degree arc, said fan having a stud protruding downwardly and a rotary drive shaft, said stand comprising a locking ring secured to said stud, a substantially L-shaped member depending from said locking ring, a tubular member, a base, said tubular member being carried by said base, a plurality of conductor rings carried by said tubular member, and a plurality of brushes carried by said L-shaped member engageable with said conductor rings, said stud having a peripheral groove therein, said tubular member having a slot therein, said tubular member receiving said stud, and a locking key in said slot for keying said stud to said tubular member without, a drive sprocket secured to said drive shaft, a stationary sprocket secured to said stud, and an endless chain about said drive sprocket and said stationary sprocket.

3. An attachment including a stand for use in combination with a fan for enabling rotation of the fan throughout a 360 degree arc, said fan having a stud protruding downwardly and a rotary drive shaft, said stand comprising a locking ring secured to said stud, a substantially L-shaped member depending from said locking ring, a tubular member, a base, said tubular member being carried by said base, a plurality of conductor rings carried by said tubular member, and a plurality of brushes carried by said L-shaped member engageable with said conductor rings, a drive sprocket secured to said drive shaft, a stationary sprocket secured to said stud, and an endless chain about said drive sprocket and said stationary sprocket, an arm pivotally attached to said L-shaped member, a roller attached to said arm, and resilient means urging said roller against said chain.

4. An attachment including a stand for use in combination with a fan for enabling rotation of the fan throughout a 360 degree are, said fan having a stud protruding downwardly and a rotary drive shaft, said stand comprising a locking ring secured to said stud, a substantially L-shaped member depending from said locking ring, a tubular member, a base, said tubular member being carried by said base, a plurality of conductor rings carried by said tubular member, and a plurality of brushes carried by said L-shaped member engageable with said conductor rings, said stud having a peripheral groove therein, said tubular member having a slot therein, said tubular member receiving said stud, and a locking key in said slot for keying said stud to said tubular member without, a drive sprocket secured to said drive shaft, a stationary sprocket secured to said stud, and an endless chain about said drive sprocket and said stationary sprocket, an arm pivotally attached to said L-shaped member, a roller attached to said arm, and resilient means urging said roller against said chain.

5. An attachment including a stand for use in combination with a fan for enabling rotation of the fan throughout a 360 degree are, said fan having a stud protruding downwardly and a rotary drive shaft, said stand comprising a locking ring secured to said stud, a substantially L-shaped member depending from said locking ring, a tubular member, a base, said tubular member being carried by said base, a plurality of conductor rings carried by said tubular member, and a plurality of brushes carried by said L-shaped member engageable with said conductor rings, said stud having a peripheral groove therein, said tubular member having a slot therein, said tubular member receiving said stud, and a locking key in said slot for keying said stud to said tubular member without, said locking key having a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion being engaged in said peripheral groove, a drive sprocket secured to said drive shaft, a stationary sprocket secured to said stud, and an endless chain about said drive sprocket and said stationary sprocket, an arm pivotally attached to said L-shaped member, a roller attached to said arm, and resilient means urging said roller against said chain.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,373,480 Brainerd Apr. 5, 1921 1,597,752 Aalborg Aug. 31, 1926 1,704,575 Noguchi Mar. 5, 1929 2,542,427 Peck Feb. 20, 1951 

